“There you go,” she said. “Plenty of room for your teacup.”
He took her hand and turned her to face him. “Elizabeth, how can I make peace with you about the mansion?”
Her heart began to hammer, and she tried to concentrate on his words. She couldn’t think about him as a man. She couldn’t think about that kiss. He was her adversary, and he was offering to negotiate a truce. God had presented an answer to her prayers, and now she had to focus on giving the right response.
“It’s like a barrier between us,” he went on, “and I’d like to resolve it. The fact is, I’d like to see more of you, Elizabeth. Maybe take you to dinner sometime. Go to a movie.”
“I don’t really have time for socializing—”
“Dating.”
“No, I can’t. I’m a mother. Nick needs me.”
“Maybe I need you.”
“You don’t need me. You’ve got your whole life out there, remember? All your plans and goals. Besides, I’m really set in my ways. The proverbial old maid, you know.”
“I don’t believe that for a second. I think if I asked you out to dinner, you’d say yes.”
“Well, I …” She looked down at her feet. Dear God, please help me out here! I’m drowning in this man’s green eyes.
“So about the house next door,” he said. “Are you going to be able to let me build my office there?” Suddenly uncomfortable holding Zachary’s hand, Elizabeth pulled free.
“Let me buy the mansion from you, Zachary,” she said. “I’ve been wanting to expand. I’d like to put in a small tea shop and carry some new gift items and specialty books. I could expand my inventory and advertise in St. Louis and Kansas City. I inherited some money from my grandmother when she passed away. It’s not much, but I can probably manage the down payment. You could use what you make off the mansion to buy a lot and build your dream office.”
“But I want the lot next door.”
“Why?”
“Location. It’s on the town square. It’s flat land. It’s prime real estate.” He let out a breath. “OK, the truth? No one ever gave me anything before, Elizabeth. Other than that toy chicken. My clothes and toys were thrift-shop specials or hand-me-downs. The government paid my foster parents to feed and board me. I worked my way through college. I took out bank loans to start my business. Everything I’ve ever had as an adult, I’ve had to work for. But when my aunt died, that little square of land became mine—not because I’d earned it. Because of who I am. It’s my little patch of the world, and I’m going to build my dreams on it.”
“But Grace didn’t leave you just a piece of land. She left you her home.”
“I don’t want a home. I don’t need a home. Please try to see that, Elizabeth.”
She closed the cabinet’s glass doors and turned the latch into place. “You do need a home,” she said. “You, more than anyone else, need a home. Maybe Grace heard what happened to you when you were a boy. Maybe that’s why she left you the mansion. Remember what she wrote in the note I found in her Bible?”
To her surprise, he dug his wallet from his pocket and slipped out the folded letter. “‘I think of my home,’” he read, “‘and the many years I have lived within these walls. It is only an earthly treasure, but I do hope it will live on to bless others as it has blessed me. I pray that Zachary …’” He lifted his head. “Why would she pray for me?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Nick says it’s because she loved you.”
“She didn’t even know me.”
“Are you sure? She was your father’s sister. Maybe he never bothered to speak her name, but clearly she knew about you. She cared about you, too. She wanted you to have her most precious treasure.”
“If she’d known anything about me, she’d have understood that I wouldn’t want a tumbledown old mansion on my hands. It’s a money drain. An eyesore. Even a danger zone. Elizabeth, I intend to establish my future on that lot next door. Does that goal have to come between you and me?”
The warmth in his eyes touched her to the core. What was it in this man that stirred her heart so? They had nothing in common. Nothing but lonely childhoods, the loss of their parents, the battle for survival, a stubbornness that refused to bend, an affection for a small town and its inhabitants, tenderness for a little green-eyed boy …
“Elizabeth, you smell like flowers,” he said, stepping closer and cupping her shoulder in his warm hand. “I try not to think about you, but that scent—”
“Gardenias and roses.”
“It stays with me …”
“Lily of the valley, vanilla …”
“And then I remember how it felt to kiss you.” His gaze searched hers. “I’ve never been a patient man.”
“But it wouldn’t be—”
“Yes, it would. It would be good between us, Elizabeth. You and me.”
She drank down a ragged breath. “Zachary, I never intended to let anyone into my life. I’ve been happy. I don’t want to … to change.”
He gathered her closer. “I think you do,” he murmured against her ear. “I think you want a lot of things. You’re just scared.”
“Shouldn’t I be?” She put her hands on his arms. “Zachary, please don’t push me. You’re right, OK? I’m lonely and a little tired of managing everything on my own. I wouldn’t mind going out to dinner with you. But where would that lead? I’m not willing to have a casually intimate relationship, and I don’t want commitment.”
“Relationship. Commitment. What about fun? Wouldn’t you like to have a little fun once in a while?”
“Kissing you is not fun.” She glanced aside. “It’s dangerous.”
She could feel the chuckle rise from deep in his chest. “You got that right.”
“I never do anything lightly, Zachary.”
“Maybe you should.”
“Maybe.” She moved away from him. “That letter from your Aunt Grace was in her Bible. This Bible.” She picked up the heavy leather-bound book that had taken a permanent place on her glass-topped counter. “This is my guidebook. It’s pretty serious business, you might recall if you’ve ever read it.”
“I’ve read it. I’m a Christian, too, Elizabeth. I go to church once in a while. Hey, I even designed a church building in downtown Jefferson City.” He walked toward her. “It’s not like I’ve asked you to sin or anything. I said I’d like to take you to dinner. I’d like to kiss you again. Is there anything wrong with that?”
“What’s in your heart? Where’s your personal commitment? Who’s guiding your life? In the end, that’s a whole lot more important to me than having fun and eating out and kissing.”
“Fine. We won’t go out.” He searched the room. “You got a dolly so I can move this cabinet out of here?”
“Yoo-hoo!” Pearlene Fox pushed open the front door with a jingle of brass bells. “I thought I’d find you in here, Mr. Chalmers. I was out sweeping my sidewalk, and I spotted Ruby McCann at the Corner Market, banging on the door. You know how she is about her groceries. Likes ’em fresh. And I thought I’d seen you over here in front of Liz’s place this morning early. Phil’s been so busy getting ready for the city council meeting next week he’s hardly taken his nose out of his notes, but he said it was you, all right. I didn’t want to interrupt anything, but if Ruby doesn’t get her morning milk, she’s likely to have a hissy fit.”
Elizabeth wheeled the orange dolly up to the cabinet and touched Zachary’s arm. Without a word, he loaded his purchase and headed for the front door.
“You weren’t interrupting anything, Pearlene,” Elizabeth said. “Zachary was picking up his cabinet. That’s all.”
“You heard the woman,” Zachary said to Pearlene. “That’s all.”
SIX
“There’s Zachary,” Nick announced for all to hear as church let out after Sunday morning services. “He came, Mom! I told him he couldn’t be my daddy unless he came to church, so he’s here.”
“Zachary Chalmers is not here because he w
ants to be your father, Nick.” Elizabeth took her son’s hand and slipped quickly through the crowd filing out the front door of Ambleside Chapel. “Say hello to the preacher, and let’s get going. Boompah’s expecting us.”
“But I want to talk to Zachary.”
“No!” she snapped. Bad enough she’d had to endure Pearlene’s lengthy inquiry the day before. Then Bud Huff had commented on his own sighting of Elizabeth and Zachary as he drove out with Al to do some fishing at the family’s farm. When Elizabeth stopped at the drugstore to buy party napkins and paper plates for the upcoming church picnic, Cleo Mueller had asked how she and the “new boy in town” were getting along. And Ruby McCann had quirked an eyebrow at Elizabeth as she stepped into the Sunday school classroom that morning. Ruby kept the attendance roster, and she made it her business to know the doings of everybody in town—for ministry reasons, of course.
“Good mornin’, Elizabeth,” Pastor Paul said, taking her hand. “And how’s Nikolai today?”
“The nachos tried to kill Boompah’s family,” Nick stated.
“Well, well, how about that?” The kindly bald-headed preacher smiled as if in perfect understanding. His eyes twinkled from behind his round-framed glasses. “You doing all right, Elizabeth?”
“Fine,” she mumbled. “I’m fine.”
“You know, you could do with a rest, young lady. Why don’t you take some time off this summer? Have a little fun.”
“I don’t need any more fun than I’m already having,” she said, her voice harsher than she intended. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Pastor, I’ve been stressed out lately.”
“The Lord asks to bear the load of the heavy laden, Elizabeth.”
“I’ll try to give it to him.”
“No, don’t try so hard. That’s the idea.” With a smile that radiated beyond his heavy brown beard, the pastor turned to greet the next person in line. “Good to see you here this morning, Mr. Chalmers. Did you sign the guest card?”
“Sure did.”
“Then I’ll be paying you a visit. Better get your ducks in a row.”
“My ducks are in a row—and I know how to have fun. Unlike some people.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she hurried down the steps to the sidewalk. What was the big deal about having fun? She had always enjoyed running her business, and she loved being a mother. That was fun enough. Lord, please let that be enough.
“Hi, Zachary!” Nick called over his shoulder as his mother fairly dragged him across the street. “We’re going to Boompah’s house to take him some lunch. He’s still sick.”
“Tell him hello for me. I’ll be by to visit him later this afternoon.”
Unwilling to even look at the man, Elizabeth hurried her son up onto the sidewalk of the courthouse. She could hear Zachary’s footsteps behind them, quickly closing the space. What did he want now? Hadn’t she made it clear where she stood? There would be no more flirtation, no more banter, and no more kisses.
“Hey, Elizabeth,” he said, taking his place at her shoulder. “I put the cabinet in my kitchen. The teacup looks great.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“Ooo, cold.”
She glanced over at him. Shouldn’t have done that! He was wearing a white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck, his navy-and-gold striped tie hanging loose. A shock of dark hair fell onto his forehead. His green eyes twinkled.
“Did you need to ask me something?” she queried.
“Nope, I just wanted everybody to see the two of us walking together. Sort of spice up the local gossip, if you know what I mean.”
“It’s spicy enough, thank you.” They arrived at the street corner. “Excuse me, but Nick and I have an engagement.”
“A date?”
“It’s Boompah.”
“Well, if he gets to see you, why shouldn’t I?”
“Because he’s Boompah, and you’re you.”
“How about Dandy Donuts? You and I could eat breakfast there some morning before we open up our respective places of business.”
She paused before stepping down into the street. “Zachary, please.”
“It’s just a thought. I’m going to take another week’s vacation to work at the Corner Market. We’ve both got to eat breakfast early. Why not do it together?”
“It’s a good idea, Mom,” Nick put in. “You like donuts. You like the ones with chocolate on top. I know you do, even though you tell me that donuts don’t have any tradition.”
“Nutrition,” Elizabeth corrected. “And Nick, this conversation is not your business, is it?”
“But if Zachary is going to be my dad …”
“Oh, Nick!” She glared at her son. “Do you need to sit in time-out for a few minutes?”
“But I didn’t mean to block the hole in the drain.”
“What hole? Which drain?”
“That drain in the backyard. It was leaking through the hole, so I put a rock in it.”
“Drains are supposed to leak! Water drains out of them; that’s why they’re called drains.” Her heart in her throat, Elizabeth gave Zachary a cursory glance. “I have to get home and check my pipes.”
She could hear the man chuckling behind her as she hurried her son across the street. So, who needed fun? With Nick, she had about all the excitement she could handle.
Visiting Phil Fox was the last thing Elizabeth wanted to do. The Ambleside Daily Herald, which came out once a week these days, had carried the report of the May city council meeting held the past Monday night. As Elizabeth read it, her veins ran with ice. Phil had proposed moving the cannon from the town square, cutting away the entire lawn, and putting in a parking lot. But to Elizabeth, it was an impossible plan.
Summoning her resolve, she pushed open the barbershop/bus-station door and stepped inside. Cavernous, dimly lit, and smelling of old luggage and shaving cream, the building carried a dankness that oppressed the spirit.
“Phil?” She glanced at the line of three swivel barber chairs, upholstered in cracked red vinyl. Empty. Turning, she scanned the bus-station section. Its row of chromed steel chairs joined at the legs was empty as well. The counter was deserted, its surface stacked with bus schedules. On the wall behind it hung torn, dingy maps. The loose linoleum beneath Elizabeth’s feet made a slapping sound as she walked toward the soda machine and blinking pinball game on the far wall.
“How can I help you?” Phil came through a door she hadn’t noticed. “Oh, hey there, Liz. What’s up?” A dollop of mayonnaise hung from the corner of his mustache. He’d been eating a chicken salad sandwich, no doubt—even though he was the one who claimed Ez left the mayonnaise jar out too long.
“I read the city council story in this week’s Daily Herald,” she began. “I don’t want anything to happen to the cannon. I don’t want a parking lot at all! If you take out a corner of the courthouse lawn, Ambleside’s not going to have a town square. It’ll have a town L.”
He laughed and licked at the mayonnaise with his tongue. “Aw, Liz, you’re quite a gal, you know that? An L? Who but you would’ve thought of that?” He motioned her toward the ticket counter. “Come here and let me show you something. Pearlene told me you’ve been on a tear lately. She says you’re too young for it to be that time of life, so it must be love. Now I know you and Zachary have been having your little troubles, but let me tell you something. He is one fine young man. Look here at what we sketched out one day in his office. Come to think of it, it was the day you came by looking for Nick and his little redhead friend, remember? Take a look at this, and see if you don’t change your mind about things.”
He unrolled a large sheet of paper and spread it across the ticket counter. Elizabeth leaned over, peering at the grid work of lines and squares and tiny labels. It was Ambleside.
“Now this here’d be the square with the parking lot,” Phil said, running a stubby finger over the center of the sketch. “See how many cars a body could fit in there? And then if we move out some of these businesses t
hat don’t have any place in a modern town, we can move in some up-and- coming operations, Liz. We don’t want Ambleside to fall behind the times.”
Elizabeth tried to listen as the man rambled on about his plans for the town, but her focus had wandered to another part of the sketch. Finders Keepers was gone. A sprawling architecture building filled half the block, and a ladies’ boutique filled the other half. There was no antiques shop. No attached apartment at the back. No yard with a swing and a sandbox.
“Where’s my store?” she cut in, jamming her finger on the Walnut Street location. “What have you done with Finders Keepers?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, this was drawn in a hurry, Liz. We didn’t have time to put in every store. I’m sure you’ll be there, though. You might want to think about moving out to the edge of town one of these days. You’d catch the traffic going to and from Jeff City. And your customers wouldn’t be fighting with Pearlene’s for parking spaces.”
“Phil, I want you to put me on the agenda for the next city council meeting,” she said. “I want to talk to the council about this plan.”
“This plan isn’t before the council yet, Liz. It’s just an idea. Just something Zachary and I whipped out the other day. I thought you’d get the vision for it.”
“Put me on the agenda. I’ve made my home in this town, and I’ll fight to keep it just the way it is.”
“Drats.” He began rolling the paper. “Zachary said you were a pain in the neck, but I didn’t believe him till I saw it for myself.”
“He said that?”
“Something like it. And Pearlene, too.” He wound a green rubber band around his plan. “You know what you need? You need to relax. Have a little fun.”
“Fun? I’ll tell you about fun. Fun was when Grace was alive, and Zachary Chalmers hadn’t set foot in this town, and you weren’t cooking up your ridiculous plans. That was fun, and that’s how it’s going to be again—if I have anything to do with it.”
Finders Keepers Page 8
